In Italian, “pantera” means panther, an elusive and powerful wild cat. So it’s easy to see how Alejandro de Tomaso had the long, lithe feline in mind when developing the De Tomaso Pantera—a fast and agile sports car.
It’s appropriate, then, that Lincoln-Mercury dealers initially sold American-market Panteras. After all, Mercury offered another big cat of a car—the Cougar. Ford’s luxury division sold the Pantera, equipped with a familiar Ford small-block V-8 behind the driver.
There was no high-strung Italian V-12 in the beautiful automobile. The American V-8 delivered loads of torque. As a result, drivers don’t need to shift the five-speed ZF manual gearbox too often while driving in town.
Power on Tap
This 1974 car for sale on eBay is a well-preserved example from early in the Panther’s 20-year production run. A Ford 351 Cleveland V-8 made about 330 horsepower. The single owner also treated this one to bolt-on modifications for improved driveability.
- An MSD ignition system makes starting and daily driving easier by producing multiple sparks per ignition for improved efficiency and power.
- A modern Fluidyne radiator is an excellent choice to keep the hot-blooded engine cool. Older radiators tend to get clogged or spring leaks, while a modern radiator flows more coolant with greater efficiently.
- A Holley four-barrel carb atop a high-rise intake manifold also improves performance. The Holley carburetor is found on most classic V-8s because it’s reliable and easy to tune.
If you like, returning this De Tomaso Pantera to stock shouldn’t be much of a challenge. But why would you? The tweaks on this vehicle are common in the Pantera enthusiast community.
The bodywork features a stunning wedge design used by Italian exotics of the 1970s and 1980s. It looks straight and clean, befitting from the care of its single owner since 1981. It shows only 41,213 miles on the odometer. The seller notes that the Pirelli P7 tires are over 20 years old. Pirelli still makes a limited run of these ultra-wide tires specifically for Pantera owners. Modern tires are unlikely to fit.
One visual change to this Pantera comes from the early 1980s: mesh lace alloy wheels with a gold finish. I’m not a huge fan of these wheels, especially when fitted to a gleaming black sports car. So instead, I would source original-style Campagnolo alloys.
The De Tomaso Pantera Has Iconic Style
De Tomaso produced the Pantera for over 20 years, beginning in 1971. Ford stopped selling the cars in the US in 1975, although gray market importers satisfied American Panther enthusiasts. In the 1980s, De Tomaso Automobili, based in Modena, Italy, added more power and wide fender flares.
Over the decades, the company built about 7,000 Panthers. The 1974 example for sale on eBay must be one of the cleanest cars still on the road.
Shop now for De Tomaso PanterasIf there was ever an Italian exotic ideally suited to an American wanting to do hands-on work, this is it. Engine tuneup parts are readily available. And it would be a delight to hear this big cat roar on daily drives.
